Instant analysis: Sixers trade picks to Boston for Draft’s best defender

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Well, who saw that coming? The Sixers made a stunning trade on Friday Night during the heart of the NBA Draft, sending pick #24 and #22 to Boston in exchange for recently selected Matisse Thybulle.

The Sixers needed to bolster their defense and depth this offseason and the 6’5, 195 lbs, swingman may just provide the answer. Named Pac-12 defensive player of the year, Thybulle has been labeled the classes best defensive player due to his unrelenting effort an intriguing athletic profile. The Senior shot 41% from the field last year, scoring 9 points per game and snagging three boards.

Fans may still be scarred from the last Washington product to be selected by the Sixers in the first round, but Thybulle should provide some immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball.

He has the length, agility, and quickness to be efficient in transition and should have no qualms on the back end. Shooting on the wing isn’t exactly his calling-card but nasty dunks and a zippy demeanor may just be. Check out some of his highlights below:

It will be interesting to see how the All-PAC 12 First team honoree transitions to the next level as he was mocked from the late teens, all the way down to Golden State at the bottom of the pecking order. But given that the team really needed to solidify some defensive depth off the bench, the aggression to trade up and secure someone who should be able to hold his own on that side of things, makes plenty of sense.

Philadelphia has three second-round selections remaining: Number 34, 42, and 54.